Galapagos Day 5: Giant Tortoise Reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station

Galapagos Day 5: Giant Tortoise Reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station

Today we got a little bit of civilization, anchoring outside the "big" city of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. This is the main tourist hub for those folks not on cruise ships. You can get dive trips, day snorkel trips, and tons of lodging and dining options here. No trip to Puerto Ayora would be complete without a walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the different types of Giant Tortoises from the different islands. We also had the chance to jump in a bus and head up into the highlands in the middle of the island to visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve.

An endemic Giant Tortoise walks towards me on a trail.

It was another big day today. We left after breakfast and took zodiacs into the dock at Puerto Ayora. A few sea lions and pelicans greeted us on the docks. We loaded up into a bus and drove a couple of miles along the coast to the Charles Darwin Research Center. Here we saw baby giant tortoises, noticed the difference between tortoises from different islands, and also got to see the embalmed remains of Lonesome George. He is in a very specialized, temperature and light controlled room. It was the coldest place in the Galapagos. Outside was hot hot hot. We walked back through town, checking out the shops and sites as we walked.

We reconvened for a short boat ride to a beautiful lodge for lunch. They also had a pool and internet which most of us took advantage of.

In the afternoon we jumped on another bus for a 45 minute ride up into the highlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve. This was a lush, beautiful spot where tortoises were just walking around. The biggest ones were hanging out by the water hole. We probably saw 7 or 8 in total as we cruised around the reserve.

Everyone was pretty excited to get back onboard. The crew probably had a busy day as well getting all of the food and laundry and trash changed over.

I thought this building looked like something out of a pirate movie, built out over the water out of stones and crushed coral mortar.

The embalmed remains of the most famous Giant Tortoise, Lonesome George.

The entire archipelago is a giant National Park and Unesco World Biosphere. It lives up to that and more. Definitely worth a visit.

Back in civilization, checking out the local fishing fleet.

Catching more sunset colors after a wonderful day exploring Santa Cruz island.

When we say giant tortoise, we mean 'giant'!

Giving Charles Darwin a few pointers about natural selection and evolution.

Pretty wild to see the very long neck, and saddle shaped shell of this giant tortoise.

Checking out the alleyways of Puerto Ayora.

More fun with big reptiles.

The highlands looked like a very nice and lush place for these tortoises to thrive.